Dec 04, 2025

What Window Tint Should You Get?

Selecting the right window tint for your car or property is never easy. There are many factors you need to consider before installing one, such as the right window tint percentage, film type, and even legal requirements. Every aspect or feature of the window tint you choose can completely affect your comfort, safety, privacy, and compliance with local laws.

If you’ve been wondering, “What window tint should I get?” This guide will walk you through the essentials, from tint darkness and visible light transmission to the different types of films, so you can confidently choose the best option that matches your needs.

General Tips for Choosing Your Window Tint Options

Choosing a window tint is easier when you know what matters most. Use these quick tips from Turbo Tint to match your goals:

Define Your Goals and Budget: Decide what matters most: cooler cabins, glare reduction, privacy, or style. For maximum heat and IR rejection, choose Turbo or Redline, which block up to 79% to 88% IR. For budget-friendly comfort, Rev or Cruise can deliver 99% UV radiation blocking and a clean look.
Prioritize Warranties and Smart Add-Ons: Every Turbo Tint package includes a lifetime manufacturer warranty, and Turbo and Redline add No-Fault protection for accidental damage. Add Express Roll Down to use your windows immediately after service and get simple care tips to protect your investment.
Check Your Local Tint Laws First: VLT limits vary by state and by window. Our team will guide you to legal shades for front, rear, and back tinted windows for your vehicle and explain what’s allowed on windshields and sunroofs, so you avoid tickets and do-overs.
Compare Film Technologies, Not Just Shade: Shade is about looks; technology is about performance. Dyed films boost style and privacy, hybrids add solar control, and nano-ceramics block heat and IR without going too dark. Turbo Tint’s Rev, Cruise, Turbo, and Redline make it easy to match performance to your climate.
Balance Privacy With Day and Night Visibility: Shades like 35%, 15%, and 5% feel different on the road. If you’re asking, "what percent tint should I get?" We'll help you compare how each VLT affects day and night visibility and stays within local laws. Darker films improve daytime privacy and glare control but can reduce nighttime visibility, so we’ll help you preview samples within legal limits.
Match Tint to How and Where You Drive: Hot climates and long commutes favor ceramic tints for maximum heat relief and less A/C strain, which helps EV range. Families and daily drivers often prioritize UV and glare reduction, while rideshare drivers value privacy. If you see frequent highway debris, pair tint with ClearPlex windshield protection.
Go Pro, Skip DIY and Risky Removals: Professional installation and removal protect electronics, defrost lines, and trim. Our precision-cut patterns deliver clean edges in about an hour for most tint jobs. Skip DIY and schedule your browse-buy-install experience at Turbo Tint for fast and flawless results.

Different Kinds of Window Tints You Can Get From Turbo Tint

Not sure which tint to choose from? Here is a quick overview of Turbo Tint’s Rev, Cruise, Turbo, and Redline packages to compare performance, shade options, and coverage, so you get an idea of what we offer once you've finally decided:

Rev Dyed Film

Rev is a dyed film emphasizing style, privacy, and glare reduction while blocking 99% of harmful UV rays. It provides up to 40% solar heat reduction, comes in 35%, 15%, and 5% shades, and is backed by a lifetime manufacturer's warranty. This window tint is an easy, budget-friendly upgrade for everyday driving.

Cruise Dyed-Metal Hybrid

Our cruise window tint combines dyed and metalized layers to boost solar control compared to standard dyed films. With more than 99% UV blocking and up to 44% solar heat reduction, it’s a practical middle ground for drivers seeking added comfort and performance, and it’s covered by a lifetime manufacturer's warranty.

Turbo Nano-Ceramic

Turbo uses nano-ceramic technology to reduce heat and infrared while maintaining clear visibility in lighter shades. The window film offers up to 60% solar energy reduction and up to 79% IR reduction. It includes a lifetime manufacturer warranty plus No-Fault coverage and suits hot climates or longer commutes.

Redline Dual-Layer Nano-Ceramic

Redline’s dual-layer nano-ceramic construction targets maximum thermal control and consistent performance. It delivers up to 68% solar energy reduction and up to 88% IR reduction with a lifetime manufacturer warranty and included No-Fault coverage. This window tint is ideal for drivers prioritizing peak heat rejection.

Common Issues to Expect With the Wrong Window Tint

Choosing tint by shade alone can backfire, causing tickets, hot cabins, and poor visibility. Here are the most common issues to watch for, and how a quick consult at Turbo Tint can help you select a legal, better-performing film from the start:

Legal Non-Compliance and Tickets: Choosing a shade that is too dark for your state or applying film where it is not allowed can lead to citations, failed inspections, and removal costs. Laws vary by window and vehicle type, so verify visible light transmission limits before tinting.
Weak Heat and IR Performance: Not all films block heat equally. Lower-tier or non-IR films may look dark but still allow infrared energy to pass, leaving the cabin hot and your A/C working harder, which may affect EV range, depending on conditions.
Night Visibility and Safety Tradeoffs: An overly dark tint can reduce visibility in low light, making parking, lane changes, and spotting pedestrians harder. Highly reflective films can also create distracting interior reflections at night.
Signal Interference With Devices: Some metalized films can disrupt GPS, mobile signals, keyless entry, and RFID toll tags. If you rely on these systems, confirm film compatibility or consider non-metal alternatives like nano-ceramic.
Premature Fading, Purple Tint, and Bubbles: Low-quality films and adhesives can discolor, haze, or bubble as they age, hurting appearance and visibility. Once this happens, replacement is the only fix, which adds time and cost.
Damage During Removal: DIY removal can tear rear defroster lines, scratch glass, and damage trim or electronics. Professional removal uses the right heat and techniques to protect sensitive components.
Warranty and Resale Issues: Unknown or off-brand films may lack meaningful warranties, making defects your problem. Poor tint choices can also trigger inspection failures or lease return penalties, reducing resale value and creating avoidable expenses.

Choose the Perfect Tint: Contact Turbo Tint for Quality Window Tinting Solutions

Selecting the best window tint balances your practical needs and personal preferences. Consider your ideal tint darkness, local legal requirements, and what matters most to you: comfort, sun protection, privacy, or style. To ensure long-lasting results and complete peace of mind, trust Turbo Tint, which offers high-quality materials and knows the latest regulations.

Still don’t know what tint you should get? Contact us today to talk with an expert, discover the best options for your needs, and book your installation.